Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘Girltalk’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Girltalk’ particularly characterized by flowers which are purple/violet with white edges and a darker purple/violet labellum; plants which may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissue culture; plants which produce more than one inflorescence; long and sturdy inflorescences; and relatively short, dark-green foliage.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Phalaenopsishybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘Girltalk’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceaefamily, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Girltalk’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 55 species of herbaceousperennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable forcultivation in the home or greenhouse. Phalaenopsis is predominantlyepiphytic or rock-dwelling, and is native to tropical Asia, the MalayArchipelago, and Oceania. The species typically has 2-ranked, fleshy,oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to a short central stem (monopodialgrowth), which vary in size from 5 to 8 inches to over 2 feet. Theleaves may be entirely green or mottled with silver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in thehorticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for theflorist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home orinteriorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often withmany showy flowers which open in succession beginning with thelowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; thelateral ones being alike. The lowermost petal, called the labellum, isthree-lobed and is often more brightly-colored than the other flowersegments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellowand red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexualpropagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots whichfrequently arise from the lower bracts of the inflorescence. Theresulting plants are detached from the mother plant and may be plantedin a suitable substrate.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Girltalk’ is a product of a controlled breedingprogram conducted by the inventor, René Schoone, in Strengweg,Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was todevelop a new Phalaenopsis cultivar particularly characterized by itsattractive and unique colored flowers, economical propagation via tissueculture, rapid growth, and a plant dimension suitable for packaging andshipping to the market.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Girltalk’ originated from a cross made by theinventor in 2003 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The female orseed parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘Sogo Vivien’,unpatented. The male or pollen parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivardesignated ‘Taisuco Jewel’, unpatented. The new Phalaenopsis ‘Girltalk’was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single flowering plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in2011 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis cultivar by tissue culture(mericloning) was first performed in July, 2011 in Cieweg 13, Heemskerk,The Netherlands, and has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmlyfixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction. The new cultivar asexually reproduces true-to-type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘Girltalk’, which in combinationdistinguish this Phalaenopsis as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. flowers which are purple/violet with white edges and a darker        purple/violet labellum    -   2. plant produces more than one inflorescence;    -   3. plants may be propagated economically and uniformly using        tissue culture;    -   4. inflorescences are long and sturdy; and    -   5. relatively short, dark-green foliage.

In comparison with the parental cultivars of ‘Girltalk’, the flowers ofthe female parent ‘Sogo Vivien’ are small and purple with white, theflowers of the male parent ‘Taisuco Jewel’ are larger than the flowersof ‘Girltalk’ and purple/white with a yellowish labellum, whereas theflowers of ‘Girltalk’ are purple/violet with white edges and a darkerpurple/violet labellum.

Presently, the commercial cultivar to which ‘Girltalk’ can bemeaningfully compared is ‘Olivia’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,045). Theflowers of ‘Olivia’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,045) are lighterpurple/violet in color and it has more white on the sepals. Also thecirrhi of ‘Olivia’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,045) is about 8 mm, whereasthe cirrhi of ‘Girltalk’ is only 1 mm. The flower size of ‘Olivia’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 26,045) is a little bit larger.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis ‘Girltalk’ showing the colors as true as is reasonablypossible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘Girltalk’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of‘Girltalk’ in a 12 cm pot, at 16 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical flower of ‘Girltalk’, at 16months of age.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of ‘Girltalk’, atabout 60 weeks of age.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘Girltalk’ has not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar mayvary with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of theplant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘Girltalk’ asgrown in a greenhouse in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, underconditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercialpractice. Initially, the ideal temperature to grow plants of ‘Girltalk’is 27° C. during the day and at night. Then, during the flowering phaseof ‘Girltalk’, the ideal growing temperature is 20-22° C. during the dayand 18° C. at night. Light levels for growing ‘Girltalk’ are a minimumof 5,000 lux and a maximum of 10,000 lux. A balanced fertilizer withlevel of 200 ppm N, 87 ppm P, 168 ppm K is applied. Duration of growthof ‘Girltalk’ from potting size is between 10 and 14 months.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 2007 edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsat approximately noon in Zaandammerweg, Assendelft, The Netherlands. Theage of the ‘Girltalk’ plants described is 12 months after potting.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrida.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Sogo Vivien’, unpatented.        -   Male or pollen parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Taisuco Jewel’, unpatented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Tissue culture.        -   Rooting habit and description.—Fleshy; approximately 5 mm-7            mm wide and greyed/green in color (RHS 190A); freely            branching. It takes 12 weeks for plants growing in tissue            culture to initiate roots.-   Plant:    -   -   Size at maturity.—Height (from bottom of pot to highest            flower): about 40 cm. Spread: about 30 cm.        -   Growth habit.—Small; green leaves (RHS N137A) and a            relatively normal raceme.        -   Vigor.—Moderate.        -   Crop time.—Following asexual propagation, at about 26 weeks            2 leaves appear; at about 30 weeks 3-4 leaves appear; after            a cold treatment of about 4-8 weeks at a temperature of            about 19° C. about 1-3 racemes with flowers appear.-   Foliage:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 6-10 leaves are produced before            flowering.        -   Arrangement and attachment.—Half up/horizontal and on two            sides.        -   Overall shape of leaf.—Oval; the tip is blunt and            asymmetric.        -   Texture (upper & underside).—Smooth and leathery.        -   Pubescence.—None.        -   Mature leaf length.—About 13 cm.        -   Mature leaf width.—About 7 cm.        -   Mature leaf thickness.—About 2 mm.        -   Mature leaf color.—Upper side: green (RHS N137A). Under            side: green (RHS 137C).        -   Leaf base.—Acute.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Venation.—Pattern: parallel. Color of midvein: upper side:            green (RHS 139A). Under side: green (RHS 137C).-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendant, racemose            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.-   Raceme:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 1 to 3.        -   Number of flowers per raceme.—About 15-25.        -   Length.—About 15 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 10 cm.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—About 40 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 5 mm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright.        -   Texture.—Glabrous and smooth.        -   Color.—Green (RHS 137B) with some brown (RHS N200A).-   Buds:    -   -   Height (from base to tip).—About 15 mm.        -   Diameter (at midpoint).—About 13 mm.        -   Shape.—Oval with a bump.        -   Color.—Yellow/green (RHS 145A) with red/purple (RHS 70A).        -   Orientation.—Same as flowers (forward facing).-   Flowering time: For an untreated plant (flowering plant that has not    undergone cold-treatment where the plant grows at a temperature of    18° C. to 19° C. for about 4 to 8 weeks after a period of about 30    weeks at a temperature of 25° C.), 1-3 racemes appear with flower    buds and flowers. First flowers can be expected approximately 4 to 6    months after planting a plant with a leaf diameter of 3 to 5 cm.    Flowers persistent.-   Flowering longevity: On the plant: about 4 to 6 months; lastingness    of cut flowers: has not been observed.-   Fragrance: No fragrance.-   Flower:    -   -   Rate of opening.—Flowers fully opened about 2 to 3 days            after petal and sepal separation.        -   Orientation at opening.—Slanted upward and outward.        -   Shape.—Typical shape of Phalaenopsis; see FIG. 2.        -   Size (of single bloom).—Height: about 3 cm. Diameter: about            4 cm.        -   Quantity and arrangement.—Three petals and three sepals that            are trimerous, overlapping and arranged in 2 whorls. Petals            are more pronounced than sepals-   Petals:    -   -   Arrangement.—Inner whorl comprises 3 petals: 2 lateral            petals and a labellum.        -   2 lateral petals.—Overall shape: little triangular and            weakly cupped. Apex: oval. Margin: entire and weakly            undulate. Base: broadly ovate. Length: about 19 mm. Width:            about 19 mm. Texture: Upper surface: smooth and satiny.            Under surface: smooth and satiny. Color (when fully opened):            upper side: main color is purple/violet (RHS N81C) with a            purple/violet stripes and spots (RHS N81B). The edges are            white (RHS NN155B). Under side: purple/violet (RHS N81D)            with red/violet spots and stripes (RHS N81B) and white edges            (RHS NN155B). Color (when first opened): main color is            purple/violet (RHS N81C) with purple/violet stripes and            spots (RHS N81B) and with white edges (RHS NN155B) and with            a yellow/green haze (RHS 145D). Labellum: Overall shape:            3-lobed with 2 prominent callosities at central junction of            the lateral lobes and base of the midlobe. Lateral lobes of            labellum fold upward about the column; the midlobe extends            forward and is terminated by 2 stubs appendages at the apex.            Lateral lobes of the labellum are ovate in shape while the            midlobe is triangular with a bump and a rib on it. Margin:            entire and weakly undulate. Apex of the midlobe and lateral            lobes: oval. Length midlobe: about 15 mm. Width midlobe (not            flattened): about 15 mm. Length lateral lobe: about 10 mm.            Width lateral lobe (not flattened): about 8 mm. Depth of            tube created by lateral lobes of labellum: about 10 mm.            Texture: Upper & under surface: smooth and satiny. Color            (when fully opened): Midlobe, upper side: main color is            purple/violet (RHS N81A) with violet stripes (RHS 83A). At            the base some yellow (RHS 14C) with white (RHS NN155C) which            runs into (RHS N81D). Under side: at the base some yellow            (RHS 14C). At the center white (RHS NN155C) whit a            purple/violet haze (RHS N81B). At the sides purple/violet            (RHS N81A and RHS N81B). Lateral lobes, upper side: at the            base white (RHS NN155C) with some yellow (RHS 14A) and            red/purple stripes and spots (RHS 59A). Edges are            purple/violet (RHS N82A and RHS N81A). Under side: at the            base white (RHS NN155C) with purple/violet stripes (RHS            N81A). Edges are purple/violet (RSH N82A and RHS N81A)            Cirrhi: about 1 mm. Color: purple/violet (RHS N81D). Pestle            (Callosities): Length: about 3 mm. Width (not flattened):            about 5 mm. Color: main color is yellow (RHS 14A) with            red/purple stripes and spots (RHS 59A).-   Sepals:    -   -   Arrangement.—Outer whorl comprises 3 sepals, one dorsal and            two lateral sepals.        -   Overall shape.—Elliptical and weakly cupped.        -   Margin.—Entire and weakly undulate.        -   Length.—About 18 mm.        -   Width.—About 14 mm.        -   Apex.—Oval; lateral are a little pointy.        -   Texture.—Upper and under surface: smooth and satiny.        -   Color (when fully opened).—Upper side, dorsal: purple/violet            (RHS N81D) with purple/violet stripes (RHS N81B) and with            white edges (RHS NN155C). Lateral: main color is            purple/violet (RHS N81C) with purple/violet stripes (RHS            N81B) and white edges (RHS NN155C). Under side, dorsal:            purple/violet (RHS N81D) with purple/violet stripes (RHS            N81C) and white (RHS NN155C). Lateral: purple (RHS N78A)            with white (RHS N155B).        -   Color (when first opened).—Main color is purple/violet (RHS            N81D) with purple/violet stripes (RHS N81B) and with white            edges (RHS NN155C) and with a yellow/green haze (RHS 145D).-   Pedicel:    -   -   Length.—About 25 mm.        -   Diameter.—About 2 mm.        -   Texture.—Glabrous and smooth.        -   Color.—At the flower yellow/green (RHS 145D) which runs into            yellow/green (RHS 146C).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Arrangement.—The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a            single, short structure called the column, possessing one            terminal anther with pollen grains united into a pollinia,            which are covered by an anther cap. The stigma is located            under the column behind the pollinia. The ovary is inferior            with three carpels present. The plant has not produced seed.        -   Column.—Length: about 7 mm. Diameter: about 3 mm. Color:            purple/violet (RHS N81C) which runs into RHS N81B and RHS            N81A.        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: two. Diameter: about 3 mm. Color:            yellow/orange (RHS 23A).        -   Ovary.—Length: about 3 mm. Diameter: about 2 mm. Color:            white (RHS NN155C).-   Disease/pest resistance/ susceptibility: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 15° C.    and to a high temperature about 30° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named‘Girltalk’, as illustrated and described herein.